The surprisingly strong data led to renewed calls for Government to cool policies it put in place to support the housing market.

“Cuts to the Help to Buy scheme would send a stronger message that the authorities are willing to take action to cool an overheating market,” said Matthew Pointon, property economist at Capital Economics.

Average house values remain 10pc below their 2007 peak and Mr Noakes said factors such as wage rises failing to keep up with inflation are expected to “constrain” property prices.